The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-05
THE STATE PRINTING CONTRACT.
It Is Again Awarded to w. B. Burford Against
Protests from Other Bidders.

The State printing board yesterday awarded
the entire contract to ". B. Burford. His total
bid was $25, 49,. o. The Easselman Printing
Company bid. next lowest, was $27. 344 60, A r.
Bakers was $2S, 632. 80. Carbon & Hollenbeck's
was $50. 1913. %. the Sentinel Companys, $780,
GEO. 60. and Baker & Thornton's. $33 81. 81. The
board decided that Burfords bid was lowest on
the second class, although on the
basis used his bid was $6,64s57 and
Bakers was sc, 225.45. The reason
of this is that the basis taken 500 of each
kind of blanks, whereas in fact many thousands
of some kinds are used, and on these Burford's
bid was lowest. For example. whole cap
sheets used in printing legislative bills of which
xepy laae e num1e a. On "s1a nakers Ola was
ing the quantity actually used. Bnrford's bid
second class was cheaper than any other.
In anticipation OF change OF this kind. Mr..
Baker yesterday issued printed circular ad-
dressed to Mr.. Griffin, secretary of the board,
denying any right on their part to alter the
basis of bidding after the bids are in. He says:
Your board is directed in the statute to deter
mine latter taking into consideration the sup
plies on hand and the anticipated needs of the
Statel the amount and kinds of printing, sta
tionery and binding that the State will require
during the next two years, and after classifying
such work and supplies according to the statute,
to advertise for bids for tho amount of station
cry, printing aud binding so determined by
the board for the coming two years
Such preliminary determination as to any
bidding is final for that bidding, and when such
discrimination has once been made by the board
it's power in that regard is exhausted. There is
authority in the statute under which the
board may revise or modify such preliminary
determination, either as to quantity charac-
ter of such stationery and printing; and the rea-
son is plain, for such revision would pe but
second estimate, and only approximately correct.
The legislative intent is clearly expressed upon
the face of the statute, and it rests upon sound
considerations of public policy. Aside from the
manifest unfairness to bidders which such
Ia L. .,.c.-
should not be thought of when it is considered
that this course the opening OF door to fraud"
Mr. Baker fortified himself in this opinion by
an opinion of Attorney general Hord, in which
it is said There can be no doubt whatever
that both the constitution and the statute con-
template state of things in which, when the
bids in, the determination between them
shall be mere matter of inspection and calcu-
lation In respect to which there can be no room
for dispute. 1t was never contemplated that
the basis of calculation should be left open for
the action of the board after the bids were in,
for this would not only be unjust to the bidders,
but would fail. for reasons already given, to ST.
cure the best results to the State 1t would
also subject the action OF officials to the charges
of partiality and injustice, such are made
hsre, even though their action may be copscien-
tious and fair: One principal object of the re-
qurement of public bidding was to render
favoritism practically Impossible But in prac-
tice outside the membership of the
board can isay that this is accomplished when
the bids are invited and received before the basis
on which they to besconsidered is agreed
upon and published"
Mr.. Hasselman claims that the basis Of
supplies which will 90 actually required during
the existence of the proposed contract. he
is the lowest bidder the second class matter.
for in extending the the item. Creams of tissue
MANILA, il was extended on the basis of ], 200
unts-that being the quantity of roll paper re-
quired-while very little if any reams of tissue
are used. Thus at his figure for reams of tissue
at 80 cents. the gross charge would be ST ,080
thus showing him to be apparently $500 higher
than the lowest bidder, while, in fact, he claims
he is $400 or $500 less. Mr.. Hasselman asserts
that rolls of paper bear more relation to
reams than does piece OF chalk to a pound.